The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced $20 million available for grants that benefit youth who have been through the juvenile justice system. The DOL expects to award four grants of $5 million each.

This cycle of grant giving will support efforts to provide at-risk teens (14 years and older) with job training that will improve their chances of securing employment in their communities.

Nonprofit organizations can qualify for the grants only if they operate large programs that function across multiple states, perform projects on more than one site and fall under the 501(c)(3) status. Additionally, each eligible organization will have to select a number of subgrantees to receive portions of the funding. The DOL asks that funded subgrantees offer programs in at least two states and are active in more than two high-crime and high-poverty communities.

"Mistakes made at a young age should not mean a lifetime of lost opportunities," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The programs to be funded by these grants will give young people who have gotten off-track the tools, support and opportunities to positively contribute to their communities."

Information about the solicitation for grant applications is available on the DOL's website. Similar organizations and charitable foundations could benefit from web-based services that allow candidates to easily submit applications and donors to raise funds online.